The Straits Times presents its 170th history e-book as birthday gift to nation

SINGAPORE, 14 July 2015 - If it mattered, it was in The Straits Times.

The Straits Times, which celebrates its 170th anniversary on Wednesday (July 15), will launch an e-book that recounts key moments from the nation's past, as they were reported in Singapore's oldest daily. It will be free for download from July 15.

As the paper of record that has held a mirror to the nation and chronicled its every step, The Straits Times was born less than three decades after Sir Stamford Raffles laid the foundation of modern Singapore. It is the only newspaper on these shores that has been published uninterrupted for 170 years - except for the three-and-a-half years when Singapore came under Japanese Occupation.

Living History: 170 years of The Straits Times, supported by the National Heritage Board, is the paper's gift to the nation as it celebrates its 50th birthday. The e-book is available through The Straits Times STAR app which can be downloaded free on Apple and Android tablets.

Living History taps a rich vein of content: authentic voices, opinions, stories and images captured by The Straits Times journalists and well preserved in its extensive archives. It was put together by Deputy Foreign Editor Bhagyashree Garekar, who was been with the newspaper for 15 years in various capacities including a stint as its US Correspondent in Washington DC.

Living History offers highlights from ST's reportage of Singapore during the Great Depression, the Second World War, Konfrontasi and Singapore's Independence, among other events. It also opens a window on everyday life through the years - the evolution of the hawker from a nuisance to a beloved icon; the changing concept of leisure in Singapore society and the Cinderella-like transformation of the cityscape. Here then are the stories and images that have gripped us, transfixed us, become our fibre and helped define our national spirit.

The e-book also includes a thoughtful piece by Mr K Shanmugam, Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Law, on the issue of media freedom.

Mr Warren Fernandez, Editor of The Straits Times, said: "When a big story breaks, reporters spring into action, to cover all angles. In many cases, we live through history in the making.

"The stories by successive generations of ST journalists are captured in its pages, pictures and videos. These come alive this e-book on the significant moments in Singapore, as seen and told in the ST over the years.